We meet again, Des Moines, for the last time this year! I'm Elle Wignall, the Register's dining reporter, and I'm a Libra sun, Capricorn moon, Aquarius rising, Enneagram Type 4, INFP. Get all that?
Welcome to my edition of Off Hours, a free weekly newsletter on all things entertainment from the Des Moines Register. Gear up for 2022!
The Deal: No resolutions and psychic predictions for 2022
Here’s the deal: I am declaring, for us all, that new year’s resolutions are officially canceled. It’s a hot take, I know, especially from someone who still uses a physical daily planner and can’t go to bed with an unticked box on her to do list. Trust me, I’ve long been a resolution setter.
But after almost two years of absolute unpredictability, I simply refuse to set goals further than a week out. That’s how I decided to leave my fate in the hands of the psychic realm to help me pave the path forward into a new year.
Putting my skepticism on the back burner, I found interesting insight from three local psychic sources — an astrologer, an aura photographer and a tarot card reader — who helped me feel out the new year while digging inward.
It started with a conversation with Des Moines astrologer Ash Bruxvoort, who goes by Ash Gravity, who practiced a blend of traditional and modern feminist astrology for about five years and accepted clients for half that time. I was curious to ask them if astrological alignments could paint a sweeping picture for 2022. What should we expect?
What they said sounded promising. Thanks to the North Node moving into Taurus — the controller of finances — the economy is in for a shakeup, and cryptocurrency might play a big part, Gravity told me. This piqued my interest, despite having no clue what the North Node is.
Themes of connection, community and stability will all play a significant role in 2022 as well in my life.
Now, despite being an “I’ll believe it when I see it” person, I can admit our conversation comforted me. I had to dig deeper. I decided on a whim to get a snapshot of my aura.
Heather Ann Roe, owner of Kin and Kindred Auras, led me to a small, dark space in the back of her East Village boutique and instructed me to sit facing a camera with my hands on metal plates at my sides. As I did, I thought about what 2022 might be like.
The plates communicate electromagnetic energy to a special aura-capturing camera, resulting in gorgeous photos fogged with the color of your surrounding aura. It’s then open for interpretation by the aura reader.
After holding a thin smile for about 15 seconds, the camera shuttered. Roe picked up the developing image and explained what the colors meant for me.
"You're a unicorn," she said, handing me the photo streaked in yellow, orange, green, blue and violet. I was, I'll admit, flattered, though not sure why. She explained that most auras consist of two primary colors and are asymmetrical; mine had five and perfect symmetry.
The hues of yellow bookending my frame, Roe said, suggest that I see the future as bright and exciting. The orange at the crown of my head indicates creativity, while the green space over the heart is healing.
I finished my psychic journey with Monica of Miss M. Tarot, who led me through my first true tarot card reading.
It’s not magic; it's not seeing into the future. I like to think of it as a way to help your subconscious thoughts, desires and decisions bubble to the surface.
She shuffled the deck several times before drawing a card for every month through May. Month by month, Monica interpreted the imagery as I listened intently across from her. The cards instructed me to embrace the joy of missing out in January, to start saving money ahead of an expensive May and to not be disappointed if March or April travel plans get canceled.
Spooky, I thought, as I made a mental note to hold off booking the flight I’d planned in March.
Taken together, the three psychic experiences I had this month resonated and helped me set intentions (read: not goals! NO GOALS! Goal-free gal.) for the new year. I hope for all of us it’s as full of love, connection and excitement as the stars and spirits say it might be.
More:Off Hours: Circus arts are for everybody and every body. Here's how to try it.
My Top Three: Ways to Set Your New Year's Intentions with Psychics
1. Book a reading or workshop with an astrologer. Interpreting your own natal chart can be daunting, so leave it up to the pros. Astrologer Ash Gravity hosts several virtual workshops interpreting the year ahead and can be booked for individual readings via Zoom starting at $84.
2. Ask specific questions during your tarot reading. Monica of Miss M. Tarot told me it's helpful if you go into a reading with a problem you'd like to solve or questions you could use guidance on. It guides the reader's interpretation of the drawn cards and makes the most of your time. I met with Monica at Kin, where she occasionally offers readings at $15 for 15 minutes, but she's also available to book for events or private virtual readings.
3. Get an aura photo taken. There aren't many aura reading cameras in existence, but luckily Kin and Kindred Auras owner Heather Ann Roe has one in the Des Moines shop in the East Village, going for $44 for a photo and 10-minute reading. Remember that aura photography is a snapshot in time; your aura can and will change over time. Some people find it valuable to get a reading once a year to observe the differences.
Have an exceptionally cool aura photo? Show me on Instagram, @woodscommaelle!
More:Off Hours: Burritos, hot buttered rum and 150 whiskey varieties to kick the weekend off right
Eat This, Drink That
Pickle pizza — $18 for 12-inch medium. My standard pizza order is pepperoni with jalapeños and black olives, but DeMo Pizza Co.'s pickle pizza might knock my three-topping pie from its top spot. The crust is so thin it's burnt to a crisp on the edges but still chewy in the center and full of yeasty flavor. And the simplicity of the rich garlic cream sauce, Parmesan and ricotta cheeses and thin-sliced vinegary pickles is the stuff of dreams.
Get it: Downtown's DeMo Pizza Co. is open for lunch Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as for dinner Monday through Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday 3 p.m. to midnight.
Smoke & Mirrors — $9. This cocktail is a riff on an Aperol spritz that takes the balanced bubbly libation to the smoky side. The classic Aperol spritz is made mildly sweet with fresh orange juice and dry sparkling wine, so the addition of mezcal adds a lingering burn to the finish of the Smoke & Mirrors. Drinking it feels like the lick of a flame from a warm summer night's campfire.
Get it: Beaverdale's Motley School Tavern servesits signature cocktails and modern American fare Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
48 Hours Off
Friday afternoon: It's the grand opening of plant bar Pots & Shots, the first plant shop in West Des Moines that features tropical houseplants for purchase and a cocktail bar for some very zen lounging. The plant shop opens at noon, while the lounge starts taking patrons at 4 p.m.
Saturday morning: What better way to start off the new year than with a foamy latte in hand and a cuddly, adoptable kitty in your lap? Reserve an hour for $10.70 at Valley Junction's Coffee Cats, where special floofs like bonded buddies Garfield and Simba fill the cat lounge and feline-themed drinks such as the Lavenfurr Mocha will perk you up for 2022.
Saturday night: Mr. Mojo Risin' is performing at Wooly's in the East Village at 8 p.m. this Saturday. The Kansas City-based quartet pays tribute to The Doors through a visually stimulating and theatrical performance style combined with tracks from the former rock band's six albums. It's a family-friendly show with tickets starting at $15.
Reno
As I pack up all of the Christmas decorations, I'm often left with an urge to fully redecorate my space. This can be difficult in an apartment, where big renovations simply aren't allowed. I talked with local business owner and interior décor expert Courtney Kennedy of CK Design Co. to get some tips for making the most of your apartment. Here's what she suggests:
- Add plants to literally bring new life to your rental. They can add color, warmth and height, Kennedy says.
- "Upgrade. Those. Blinds." Replacing the cheap plastic blinds found in apartments can instantly give a room more character.
- "There are few things that make a space feel more homey than a cozy candle," Kennedy says. "Smell is our strongest sense." If your dwelling is in desperate need of a signature scent, think about a favorite memory and hunt for a candle that reminds you of it. My favorites rotate with the seasons, but I can always rely on the dreamy smells of sea mist and bergamot that remind me of my time living abroad.
Apartment dwellers unite! What are your temporary space hacks that make renting feel a little more like home? Send them my way at [email protected].
Around Town
My Day Job
Thanks for sticking around, Des Moines. As we head into 2022, I've compiled a list of quintessential Iowa foods and profiled Nick Tillinghast, the man behind some of the most interesting bars in Des Moines. Something exciting that I missed? Tell me on Twitter, @ElleWignallDMR!
For more dining in Des Moines news, keep an eye on my work here. Next week, entertainment reporter Isaac Hamlet will tell you all about smashing bottles, computer equipment and more. Have a safe and joyous New Year's Eve.
source: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/2021/12/31/new-years-resolutions-things-to-do-des-moines-restaurants-bars/9050529002/
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